The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has urged the Government to reduce the US$260 fee charged for Ghana’s Emergency Entry Visa, saying the cost could discourage international travellers and undermine the competitiveness of the tourism sector.
Ms Yvonne Donkor, President of TOUGHA, said the Union welcomed the migration of the Emergency Entry Visa application process onto Ghana’s e-Visa platform but expressed concern about the fee.
She said the improved convenience of the digital application process should be supported by a more affordable fee structure to make Ghana an attractive destination for international visitors.
In an interview, Ms Donkor said emergency visas were important for travellers who needed to enter the country at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, urgent business, family obligations or last-minute travel arrangements.
“We welcome the move to bring the Emergency Entry Visa onto the e-Visa platform because it is an important step towards making Ghana’s visa application process more efficient, transparent and convenient.
“However, the convenience of the application process must be matched by a fee structure that supports, rather than undermines, the competitiveness of our tourism industry,” she said.
High Fee Could Affect Tourism Competitiveness
Ms Donkor said the US$260 charge was particularly concerning for inbound tour operators competing in international markets where travellers had several destinations from which to choose.
She said tourists considered several factors when selecting destinations, including attractions, accessibility, travel costs and the ease of obtaining entry clearance.
“Tourism is a highly competitive global industry. Travellers compare destinations not only on attractions and experiences but also on accessibility, cost and the ease of travelling.
“When an emergency visa costs US$260, we risk creating the perception that Ghana is an expensive or difficult destination, particularly when compared with competing destinations that offer more affordable or flexible visa arrangements,” she said.
She therefore urged the Government to consider reducing the fee to a level that would balance the cost of visa administration with the broader economic benefits of attracting international visitors.
Tourism Value Chain
Ms Donkor said international visitors contributed significantly to businesses and livelihoods across the tourism value chain, including hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tourist attractions, tour guides, artisans, event organisers and airlines.
She said communities that depended on tourism-related expenditure also stood to benefit from increased visitor numbers.
The TOUGHA President urged the Government to consider the potential economic value of additional visitors that could be attracted through a more affordable emergency visa rather than focusing solely on revenue generated from the visa fee.
She stressed that the Union’s position did not amount to opposition to stronger border management, immigration controls or improved visa administration.
“We fully recognise the importance of effective immigration controls and the need for Government to recover the administrative costs associated with visa processing.
“Our concern is that the fee should be proportionate and should not inadvertently discourage the very visitors whose expenditure supports thousands of livelihoods across the tourism value chain,” she said.
Ms Donkor said Ghana had the potential to become one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations and, therefore, policies governing access to the country should support that ambition.
She said reducing the Emergency Entry Visa fee would send a positive signal to international travellers and the global tourism industry that Ghana was committed to becoming a more accessible, competitive and visitor-friendly destination.
